GOTM: Seed & Soil
Starting in the heart of Humboldt County and finding their way east, Seed & Soil is rooted in a deep passion for seed production and cultivating exceptional cannabis strains. Founded by Ben and Betsy Samuelson, this Maine-based cannabis farm offers vigorous, well-adapted, and pungent genetics in seed form, all grown on their 130-acre farm with rich native soil. Their cultivation occurs outdoors, under the sun, moon, and stars, reflecting their belief in the importance of a connection to the earth in producing high-quality cannabis.
This blog features a Seed & Soil Q&A, providing insights directly from Ben & Betsy about their cultivation methods, unique strains, and the philosophy behind their farm.
Q: Tell us about Seed & Soil - We want the whole story!
A: With a goal to own a farm and operate it as their livelihood, Ben and Betsy Samuelson set out to produce herb, flower, and vegetable seed, garlic, koji, wild ferments, honey, red wigglers (worms), and compost. With Ben’s Masters in Horticulture at University of Nebraska Lincoln and Betsy’s impactful seed work and family connections in Humboldt, they knew that cannabis and seed sharing were the tools they needed to meet their goals. Now, Seed & Soil offers vigorous, well adapted, and pungent genetics - in seed form - here in Maine.
“We knew seeds were our place in the cannabis world, because it’s a way to empower people to be independent, possibly opening growers up to the magical world of gardening other crops (and opening up gardeners to the magical world of cannabis growing!).”
Similar to the idea of terroir in wine, we believe that our extracts taste better because they were grown in soil and pushed to compete with their roots stretching to find water. Our plants are grown from seed that we breed, and as that cycle continues, no harvest is ever the same. We select for unique terpene profiles and local adaptation. We believe that the products we put into the broader world carry the imprints of our purpose and hope that they help others' sense of connection to the earth as well.
Q: Tell us about your cultivation. Is there anything special about your grow operation
that you’d like to share?
A: We grow and breed outdoors in native soil, the very soil that came with the farm, under the sun, moon, and stars. Our 130 acre farm is a retired New England dairy farm where manure was spread liberally on our cultivation area for at least a century. Situated on a narrow floodplain, our garden sinks its roots into 3 feet of silt loam laying upon glacial sand and gravel. It is rich and forgiving soil. We are Tier 4 Cultivation, which allows us to cultivate 20,000 square feet of cannabis, about half an acre. When it comes to strains, we don’t make seed or flower from any seed lines that fail to perform outdoors with minimal intervention.
Q: Do any of your strains have cool or interesting background info?
A: Raspberry Parfait Auto is our most exciting breeding project and biggest R&D push to date. These plants finished at 4-5 feet when planted in an 18-inch grid, with colors predominating in purples with green interiors. A silky/gritty feel to the trichomes with terpenes that are most perceptible are terpinolene, bisabolol, and linalool - though these are not the most abundant. We describe the character as “Sharp Fruit, Sweet Cream, Piercing Floral Tones”.
Stargazer Auto is a close second. We are smitten with its distinctive floral terpene profile that predominates in the population after three rounds of aggressive selection, it reminds us of stargazer lilies with notes of citrus with an unmistakable sweet layer. This is a “flagship seed” for Seed & Soil. Remarkably trimmable and frosty light green nugs will delight the eye and surprise the nose! Terpinolene is present in robust amounts (a run of live resin contained 2.94% terpinolene in a mix of 10.4% total terpenes).
Another Seed & Soil favorite is Caramel Headband, a creamy twist on the classic Headband Caramel Create. ‘Caramel’ is an imperfect approximation of a certain unmistakable toasted mouth-coating heavy aroma that is unfamiliar in the classic Headband. But like a good Headband strain, the effects deliver a cozy body high without unbreakable couchlock.
As we conclude this insightful Q&A, we hope you've gained a deeper understanding of their dedication to seed production, cultivation practices, and the unique strains they offer. Their commitment to quality and connection to the earth shines through in every aspect of their work, making Seed & Soil a truly exceptional cannabis farm. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and informative features in the world of cannabis in Maine.
Grower of the Month Specials: Seed & Soil
Live Resin Carts | $30 (Save $10)
Autoflower Seed Packs | $50